Chapter 136
The rain poured in torrents. The rescue team captain wiped water from his face, his voice hoarse. "Madam, the mine shafts could collapse again at any moment!"
Sophia Roland's fingers trembled as they clutched her dress hem.
"We must decide who to save now!" The captain stamped his foot. "Any delay will cost both their lives!"
Alexander Roland's suit was drenched. His Adam's apple bobbed as he stared at the two mine entrances.
"Sir!" Eugene Lefèvre rushed into the downpour. "Miss Isabella has always been frail. She only got trapped saving Miss Evelyn! By all rights, we should rescue her first!"
He deliberately stepped into a mud puddle, splashing filthy water onto Sophia's skirt.
"But Evelyn..." Sophia's voice was drowned by thunder.
Eugene pulled her toward the left shaft. "Look! Miss Isabella has already lost consciousness!"
Deep inside the mine, Isabella Langley lay curled like a broken doll in the muck. A lightning flash illuminated her deathly pale face, blood trickling from her lips.
"The rescue team says Miss Evelyn can still communicate!" Eugene whispered in Sophia's ear. "But Miss Isabella won't last thirty minutes!"
Sophia grabbed her husband's arm. "Save Isabella first! Hurry!"
As the rescue rope was secured, a deep rumble shook the mine. Pebbles rained down, making Eugene stumble backward.
"Faster!" Alexander stepped forward to pull the rope himself.
Through the storm, the rope inched upward. When they lifted Isabella out, her right leg bent at an unnatural angle.
"My child..." Sophia rushed forward, only to recoil from the metallic scent of blood.
"Careful, madam!" Eugene steadied her. "Miss Evelyn's side—"
The mountainside convulsed before he could finish. Before their eyes, the right shaft collapsed in a roar of dust instantly turned to mud by the rain.
Sophia's legs gave way. She collapsed into the mire, mouth forming a soundless whisper. "Ev..."
Edward Roland caught his wife's limp body. Rain mixed with tears as he lifted his face toward the ruined mine shaft. His fist slammed into the mud.